Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-02-17
NOT SUCH A BAD PLACE.
That is What Warden Brush Says About Sing
Sing Jaehne is a Good Prisoner, but Ward
Causes Considerable Trouble.

That is What Warden Brush Says About Sing
Sing Jaehne is a Good Prisoner, but Ward
Causes Considerable Trouble.
New York Mail and Express.
Ferdinand Ward is not as good priso-
ner as ex-Ald. Henry w. Jehne. Warden
Brush, of Sing Sing, says so, and he
ought to know. A reporter, who went up
the river last week, had chat with Mr..
Brush about some of his important
changes. He says Jahne is one of the
best men he ever had for g prisoner.
From the very beginning of his sentence
he has obeyed every rule to the letter.
''In fact" said the pardon, she seemed
anxious to learn exactly what he ought to
do, and to-day he is exactly like clock
work. His health has improved with the
regular living, and his appetite is some
thing pleasant to behold. He Furnishes
prison fare as if he had been accustomed
to it all his life. That is the only way for
man to get along in prison. He must
look at the situation from the standpoint
of philosopher and say to himself: II
am here and might as well make the best
Of a bad bargain" Jaehne seems to be that
sort of man. I understand that he was
an inverate smoker of good cigars before
coming here. Still he enjoys a pipe
which we allow him in the evening with
as much gusto as if it were a Reina. But
Ferdinand Ward, he is the most persis-
tent worker for trifing privileges which
we can not ALLOW him that you ever heard
of. If he wants cigar he will try to get
it, although it is against the rules, and
any keeper showing favor IN this respect
would be dealt with summarily. Ward
will resort to all little schemes in order to
accomplish an object. He will not &C.
cept defeat. OF course he is trusted ths
same as any other convict, but he is not
willing to be as Je8hne is. Prisoners are
allowed to read books and magazines, and
we have quite large library here, but
newspapers are not allowed. Some of
the prisoners will get them, however. A
wife will send her husband a book. Well,
| inside the cover, perhaps, she has CON
ceaied a news paper, or portion of one,
and when she hands it to him at her visit
which we allow every two months, he is
ready to understand the slightest sign
form her, although q keeper stands right
by Ill the room with them.
''You would be surprised at the memory
of any intelligent prisoner. When not
at work or not reading, they have moth
ing to do but think, and they a4e ever on
the alert for news from the outside world.
I really believe that everyone knew that
,eX-Ald. McQuade was TO arrive here on
Monday last. How the news gets in there
is no telling, but with their wits sharpen
ed, and craving for news such as only
man locked up has, he is able tograsp
at q word and work out the situation
himself. If a convict were to pass
| through this hall now for instance, and
hear you let drop a word, he would be
able to get 81 the whole cenvers alton and
| tell his friends about it. It is instinct.
Jaehne knew that McQuade's motion for
stay had been denied, fer he spoke to
me about it. He speke very feelingly,
| too, was really sorry that someone else
had to follow him to prison. We rarely
| have trouble with the men of intelligence
| They readily understand the rules and
know that the best way to get along is to
| follow them. 1t is the tough that usual
| ly tries to kick over the traces, and he
never succeeds in this institution. Bud
densick, the man who was sent here for
building mud houses, was an exception.
He was SO sure that he would get out in
little while that he wanted to carry on
his business. This we could not allow.
He was always wanting to see some of
his friends about his building enter
prises, and / have 10 doubt that if he had
been allowed to give orders to his fore
man every morning as he desired his bus
mess would have continued to prosper.
He would not put it into anyone else's
hands until the court of appeals decided
that the verdict must stand. Now he is
resigned"
While the warden vas talking three
prisoners came through the doorway
from below. They were no longer pris-
oners when they entered the warden's Of
flee. Their terms had expired. They
were dressed in clothing cut 10y Fifth
avenue tailor, and felt as proud as could
be. They bowed to the warden and
then they walked out into the world free
men.
'sIt looks queer for a prisoner without
money or friends to leave here with 800
suit of clothes on his back but they do,
When man comes here his clothes are
eonfiscated. It is renovated, and if need
be, repaired and hung up for future in
spection. The first prisoner discharged
is entitled to pick out any suit he takes a
fancy to. If there is nothing to at him
we furnish him with new suit. There is
q man walking about New York to-day
wearing Jaehne's spring overeOat Which
he had on when he came here, and some
other ex-convict selected his trousers.
Another took the Prince Albert coat and
someone else choose the vest of the ex-
alderman. They were all of the finest
quality. Money and jewelry are always
returned to prisoner at the expiration
of his term. It frequently happens that
when a man is sent here the second time
he will bring along all his money and
jewelry, knowing that the state is re-
sponsible for them. Sing Sing is not
such bad place.